Double Cup Success for Rainey Endowed Rugby

Double Cup Success for Rainey Endowed Rugby

 

On Thursday 5th February the ‘Thornton Roofing’ and ‘John Lynn Plumbing and Heating Ltd’ Rainey Medallion team took to the stage to play Limavady Grammer School in the Fourth Round of the Danske Bank Medallion Shield. Rainey got off to a strong start, playing with good width and depth in attack. It wasn’t after long until Rainey broke the deadlock with a try from Michael McIvor-New. After a well-rehearsed move by the backline, the ball was placed in the corner. Matthew Smyth converted successfully giving Rainey a 7-0 lead. Matthew Smyth then scored an exceptional individual try in the corner to increase Rainey’s lead to 14-0 after he converted his own try. Just before the break for half time Limavady won a penalty and opted for the posts, making the score at the break 14-3. They boys in black hit the ground running at the start of the second half, a tackle from Alan Goodwin lead to a knock on to which David Atkinson picked up the loose ball. He took the chance, making the score 17-3 to Rainey. Matthew Smyth’s conversion brushed the posts, just wide. Despite more possession in the final third, Rainey couldn’t increase their lead. Final score: 17-3 to Rainey. This has been a great Shield run by the squad and coaches. The players, together with coaches Graeme Eastwood and Alastair McGowan deserve great credit. It has been a number of years since Rainey got this far in the Shield so everyone at the school gives them our best wishes. In the Quarter-finals of the Danske Bank Medallion Shield Rainey now play against Wallace High School. This match will take place on the 12th February at Rainey ES and kick off is at 3:00pm. All support welcome.

On Saturday 7th February the ‘P Keenan Road Surfacing’ sponsored Rainey ES 1st XV hosted Belfast Royal Academy in the Quarter-Finals of the Danske Bank Ulster Schools Bowl. In beautiful conditions and in front of a large home support Rainey found themselves 7 points down within a couple of minutes. From their first attack BRA scored under the posts, the conversion was successful to give them a 7 point lead. The home side however, were unfazed by this setback and went on the attack. After a period of pressure, Rainey were awarded a penalty which was converted by Mark Rooney to reduce the score to 3-7. Rainey continued to attack with Cameron Stewart and Rory Nicholl causing the visiting defence problems. From a nicely taken lineout by Neal Hastings the ball was moved to Rory Nicholl who fed Lorcan Quinn. Lorcan put Andrew Conway in space and he used his pace to out strip the defence before passing inside to Lorcan who crossed the line to score Rainey’s first try. The score was now 8-7 in Rainey’s favour. Rainey were now starting to get on top and the second try was soon to follow. A long kick from Mark Rooney gave Rainey field position. Timmy Shiels then crashed through the BRA defence before Lorcan Quinn grabbed his second try. Rainey now led 13-7. Rainey continued to force the pace with Captain Calvin Smyth and centre Andrew Brown making good ground. However, BRA struck back with a penalty to reduce the score to 13-10. This was a warning for Rainey not to get complacent. This score remained this way at halftime. Rainey unfortunately had a double blow at halftime losing the influential Calvin Smyth and Andrew Brown to injury.

Rainey started the second half on the offensive. Mark Allingham and Adam Currie were proving to be a handful for the visiting defenders. When BRA were penalised Mark Rooney kicked the penalty to increase the lead to 16-10. BRA were finding it very difficult to get their hands on the ball. The game was being controlled intelligently by Scott Campbell and Mark Rooney. Both Scott and Mark were pinning BRA back with precision kicking. Anton Lupari was also imposing himself on the game and it was a powerful carry from him that led to Rainey’s third try. After Anton had carried, Adam Currie took the pass to power his way through a number of tacklers and over the line. Mark Rooney added the conversion to make it 23-10. With nothing to lose BRA went on the attack. They hammered at the Rainey line but were kept out time after time. Wallace Bruce and Connor Stobo both displayed real commitment in the number of tackles they made in this period. With the visitors denied the Magherafelt boys went back on the offensive. Mark Mulholland showed his ability by making a beautiful break in the mid field. From a fine attacking position Mark Rooney put in a smart kick that wasn’t dealt with by the BRA defence. Andrew Nicholl on his return from injury showed super pace in following the kick to touch down for Rainey’s fourth try. Mark Rooney kicked the conversion to increase the lead to 30-10. With Rainey looking for another score the referee blew his whistle for full time much to the delight of the players and the large home support.

This was arguably the strongest team Rainey has fielded this season, because of the number of injuries the squad has had to cope with. It proved too many that there is lots of ability within this squad and on their day they are capable of beating anyone.

They now play Foyle College in the semi-final on Saturday 21st February at home. Kick off 10.45am.